Anuradha Paudwal, Kishor Ingale and Hon Min Ashish Shelar Grace The Bombay Art Society’s 134th All India Annual Art Exhbn
The prestigious 134th All India Annual Art Exhibition of The Bombay Art Society was inaugurated at Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, marking another milestone in the institution’s 138-year-old legacy.
The exhibition was inaugurated by celebrated playback singer Padma Shri Anuradha Paudwal, who attended as Chief Guest. Prof. Kishor Ingale, Director, Directorate of Art, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. The evening was further dignified by the presence of Hon. Ashish Shelar, Minister for Cultural Affairs & Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra, reflecting the State’s continued commitment to the arts.
Established in 1888, the Annual Exhibition remains one of India’s longest-running continuous art showcases. This year, 275 artworks were selected from over 2,500 entries received from across the country, reaffirming its stature as a national platform for emerging and established artists. Winners were announced on the inauguration evening, and the works of the scholarship awardees were also displayed.
Rajendra Patil, President of The Bombay Art Society, stated that presenting the 134th edition was a moment of immense pride. He noted that for over a century, the exhibition has discovered and encouraged emerging talent while honouring the enduring spirit of Indian visual arts. He added that the overwhelming national response reaffirmed the Society’s relevance as a vital forum for creative expression and its commitment to strengthening Mumbai’s cultural landscape through exhibitions and scholarships.
The prestigious Roopdhar Lifetime Samman, instituted 21 years ago, was conferred upon Late Sculptor Chandrajit Yadav. Among the key recognitions, Prasad Mestri received the Bendre-Husain Scholarship, Sonal Salekar was awarded the Sandhya Misra Scholarship, and the Ravi & Smita Paranjape Chitradiksha Scholarship was presented to Krishnapada Maity. In total, 46 awards and 3 scholarships were presented across painting, sculpture, graphics and photography.
Over the decades, The Bombay Art Society’s scholarships and awards have inspired several legendary artists including Amrita Sher-Gil, S. H. Raza and N. S. Bendre, reinforcing its pivotal role in shaping India’s visual arts movement. The 134th edition once again strengthened Mumbai’s cultural calendar, celebrating artistic excellence and creative diversity from across the nation.
